Sunday, May 2, 2010
Mini-Series Project and Final Exam Project
Mini-Series Project
Final Exam - Artist Trading Cards
Monday, April 26, 2010
April 26 - 30
For MONDAY/TUESDAY classes, this is the last days the still life will be up in class. The paintings are due to me by Monday, May 3rd. You will have to work on your own time to complete this. No more class time will be devoted to this project.
For WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY/FRIDAY, we will begin a new project
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Final Exam Assignment - Must be completed prior to the final day. Your presentation is due on the exam day.
Objective: Create three trading cards about your famous artist with the following-
• Creatively use mixed media collage to create an image of your artist that is representative of his/her art style and include some portion of the artist’s most favorite work
• Cleverly design a title for the card on the front so that the artist name is a part of the overall design.
• On the back, provide vital information about the artist that is creatively and correctly drawn (remember writing is a form of drawing)
• Creatively present your artist card and artist on final exam day
What To Do?
1. Use the attached template to design three trading cards. You can cut out the copy paper template and work with that paper, or cut out the template from any material you want; or use a regular 3.5 x 2.5 sized playing card or any trading card.
2. To design the front cover – use any 2-D media you want. You can include one small portion (no larger than a 1/3) of either the artist portrait or the famous artwork, but not both. You must enhance this image in some way. In other words, don’t just glue it down and say you’re done – be creative. The front cover should offer some insight into the artist style and personality.
3. Script – Don’t forget you must have a title on the front. Make the title a part of the overall design. As well as think about how you will present the information on the back.
4. Vital Information – Birth & Death (if applicable); where he/she was born and where was the place your artist did most of his/her work; technology of the artist’s day; most famous work; your favorite piece and why; and finally who or what was the love of your artist’s life.
5. On final day, bring all three cards to class and present your artist. You will be graded on how creative the experience is. You can write a poem, compose a song, dress as the artist, be an art critique of the artist’s time, dress up as the artist’s love – you will be get points for how it is presented.
6. You will give me one card, keep one card, and trade with one other student.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Monday, April 19
Sunday, April 11, 2010
April 12 - 16
Watercolor Still Life
Project Objectives: make a watercolor painting with the following: (click here for project sheet)
- Monday: Begin planning drawing for the watercolor still life. Stretch the watercolor paper on your drawing board.
- Tuesday: Use thumbnail to create a value sketch study. Apple and Watercolor Technique Journal pages are due.
- Wednesday - Friday: Work on watercolor painting beginning with setting local color and then darks.
· Create a strong composition based on observing a still life with personal objects
· Demonstrate a strong understanding of value through color
· Use color theory to correctly paint the objects and shadows of the still life
· Correctly use appropriate watercolor techniques to complete the still life
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Working with Watercolor Power Point
March 29 - April 2

Watercolor Still Life
Project Objectives: make a watercolor painting with the following:
- Monday: Demo watercolor techniques and how to make a still life personal power point. Gesture with environment and Folder is due.
- Tuesday: Complete watercolor techniques. Begin drawing for the watercolor mini-lab.
- Wednesday: Introduce watercolor through Power point. Work on mini-lab. Begin setting up still life as objects come in.
- Thursday - Friday. Complete the watercolor mini-lab and begin setting up still life as objects come in.
· Create a strong composition based on observing a still life with personal objects
· Demonstrate a strong understanding of value through color
· Use color theory to correctly paint the objects and shadows of the still life
· Correctly use appropriate watercolor techniques to complete the still life
Monday, March 22, 2010
March 22 - 26
How can the direction of your brushstroke create a mood or feeling?
Objectives: Create an abstract gestural figure in acrylic paint with
- An expressive color scheme
- A strong understanding of brushstrokes
- Incorporate mixed media along to enhance the movement of the brushstrokes
- Use a good gesture drawing with a strong outline contour create a focal point
- Monday - Tuesday: Work on textures painting. Begin watercolor techniques by making analogous groupings. Homework drawing and Folder is due on Monday. Any make-up Artist Cafe assignments are due.
- Wednesday: Critique both the Abstract Still Life and the Gestural Brushstroke paintings.
- Thursday: Work on watercolor techniques.
- Friday: Work on watercolor techniques. Homework make a gestural drawing with environment but use pencil, due on Monday, March 29.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
March 19, Class Assignments
Homework: Draw a gestural figure and the environment he/she is in. Use black pen and make value. Due on Monday, March 22.
Artist Cafe - Make-up two ZERO assignments. You must let me know what you are making up.
Folder Check on Monday.
Past Quotes (b/c I told someone this was online - what was I thinking):
- That which is static and repetitive is boring. That which is dynamic and random is confusing. In between is Art. - John Locke
- Photography is nature seen form the eyes outwards. Painting is nature seen from the eyes inwards. - Charles Sheeler
- Art is the only work open to people who can't get along with others and still want to feel special. -Alastair Gray
- Art is either plagiarism or revolution. -Paul Gaugin
- I passionately hate the idea of being with it, I think an artist has always to be out of step with is time. -Orson Welles
- An artist cannot speak about his art any more than a plant can discuss horticulture. -Jean Cocteau
- The essence of drawing is line exploring space. -Andy Goldsworthy
- Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. -Pablo Picasso
- A man paints with his brains and not with his hands. -Michelangelo
Monday, March 15, 2010
March 15 - 19
How can the direction of your brushstroke create a mood or feeling?
Objectives: Create an abstract gestural figure in acrylic paint with
- An expressive color scheme
- A strong understanding of brushstrokes
- Incorporate mixed media along to enhance the movement of the brushstrokes
- Use a good gesture drawing with a strong outline contour create a focal point
- Monday - Tueday: Gesture Drawing. Homework drawing is due.
- Wednesday: Discuss what a "Brushstroke" is and the project. Work on gestural figure with contour outline.
- Thursday: Work on gestural painting. Folders are due.
How can the direction of your brushstroke create a mood or feeling?
Objectives: Create an abstract gestural figure in acrylic paint with
- An expressive color scheme
- A strong understanding of brushstrokes
- Incorporate mixed media along to enhance the movement of the brushstrokes
- Use a good gesture drawing with a strong outline contour create a focal point
- Monday: Think about your pose and decide what the expression is. How can you talk about it in color. Use light and bright color to paint a texture for the gesture. Homework drawing is due.
- Tuesday: Cover your initial layer of paint with your acetate gesture. Choose a second color, use a dark and dull version of the color. It should be expressive. Paint around the figure and remove the acetate.
- Wednesday: Critique over Abstract Still Life paintings. Journal assignment will be given out. Begin tearing paper for your texture. Use matte medium to add paper texture.
- Thursday: Complete the texture and begin painting final texture.
- Friday: Complete painting. Discuss still life possibilities. Work on journal assignment. Folders are due!
Artist Cafe Assignments: Due Saturday March 20, you can make up TWO of the assignments if you did complete one on time.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
March 8 - 11

Current Project: Gesture Painting with Mixed Media Brushstrokes
How can the direction of your brushstroke create a mood or feeling?
Objectives: Create an abstract gestural figure in acrylic paint with
- An expressive color scheme
- A strong understanding of brushstrokes
- Incorporate mixed media along to enhance the movement of the brushstrokes
- Use a good gesture drawing with a strong outline contour create a focal point
- Monday - Tueday: Gesture Drawing. 2nd period has a still life drawing due and 3rd has two gesture drawings due.
- Wednesday: Discuss what a "Brushstroke" is and the project. Work on gestural figure with contour outline.
- Thursday: Work on gestural painting. Abstract Still Life paintings are due. Project Rubric.
Artist Cafe Assignments: Due Staurday March 13, a response to another artist's My Best Known Artwork Posting. Choose your least favorite work on the forum and post a response that explains why it is not your favorite.
March 7 Artist Cafe Assignment
Sunday, February 28, 2010
March 1-5
Current Project: Abstract Still Life Paintings
Objectives: Create an abstract composition from a still life drawing. Use two tertiary intensity scales to create a composition that has color balance and a controlled use of color mixing. Project Directions
Journal Project: Famous Artist page. Use a portion of a favorite artwork by your artist. Include it in a page and create beyond the borders using their style to complete the page. Incorporate some aspect of their love life into what you add to the portion of the artwork. Due on Friday, March 5th.
- Monday - Wednesday: Continue working on abstract still life.
- Thursday: Paintings are due. Introduce gesture drawing.
- Friday: Work on gesture drawing.
Artist Cafe Assignments:
- Due Staurday March 6, My Best Known Artwork Posting
DP4 Assignments:
Classwork: Studio Project #2 is past due!(Due Dates must be set with Ms. Munson on Monday - i.e. make sure I write it down). Begin researching for a new project. Fill out a project form and turn it in this week.
Journal:Weird perspective drawings - make 5 double page spreads of unusual perspectives - under tables, in corners of the ceiling, under the faucet - THIS IS TO BE OBSERVATIONAL. You can't invent these pages. Add color - it can be expressionistic.
Homework: Watercolor practice in your journal (Due by Monday, February 22). Practice the following techniques:
wet in wet, dry brushing, oil pastel resist, salt in deep color, rubbing alcohol in deep color, sponging wet color, masking with rubber cement
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
February 24, Wednesday
Today is a short day thanks to an Early Release Day.
If you have not painted your matboard - do so today, or you will have to come in on your own time so you won't get behind.
Locate your first color on your color coded abstraction. Cut out the pieces of the freezer paper for those colors. LIGHTLY glue them down to your board in the correct positions for the total composition.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: Find and print ONE PAINTING by your famous artist. Due on Friday, February 26!
Monday, February 22, 2010
February 22 - 26
Current Project: Abstract Still Life Paintings
Objectives: Create an abstract composition from a still life drawing. Use two tertiary intensity scales to create a composition that has color balance and a controlled use of color mixing.
Journal Project: Famous Artist page. Use a portion of a favorite artwork by your artist. Include it in a page and create beyond the borders using their style to complete the page. Incorporate some aspect of their love life into what you add to the portion of the artwork. Due on Friday, March 5th.
- Monday: Begin color coding your abstract drawings in color pencil. Complete first paint layer.
- Tuesday: Cut-out the first color layer from your freezer paper pattern. Position your pattern pieces on your matboard and lightly adhere them with matte medium. Paint your second color.
- Wednesday: Cut out and adhere the second color pattern. Half-day.
- Thursday: Paint third layer and cutout for the fourth layer.
- Friday: Work on your journal assignment.
Artist Cafe Assignments:
- Due Monday February 22, Personal Ad Posting
- Due Friday February 26, Technology Forum
Friday, February 19, 2010
February 19, Friday
Homework drawing is due on Monday, Feb. 22!
Abstract Painting: (If you do NOT have an adequate intensity scale, you will have to redo both before beginning these steps!)
- Choose your b/g color from your two intensity scales.
- Tape your matboard to a drawing board and paint the matboard a light value of one of your BRIGHEST colors from your intensity scale.
- Transfer your abstracted drawing to a piece of FREEZER Paper. MAKE SURE YOU DRAW ON THE "PAPER" SIDE.
- Go back to your intensity scales and choose 5 colors. Color code each color using colored pencils.
- On your freezer paper drawing - color code your abstraction. REMEMBER TO HAVE COLOR BALANCE.
ARTIST CAFE: Complete the "Personal Ad" forum by Monday, Feb. 22. Post a reply to the "technology" forum by Friday, Feb. 27
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ADVANCED DP:
Classwork: Studio Project #2 (Due Dates must be set with Ms. Munson on Monday - i.e. make sure I write it down). Begin researching for a new project. Fill out a project form and turn it in this week.
Homework: Watercolor practice in your journal (Due by Friday, February 27). Practice the following techniques:
wet in wet, dry brushing, oil pastel resist, salt in deep color, rubbing alcohol in deep color, sponging wet color, masking with rubber cement
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
February 18, Wednesday
Abstracted drawing due!
The in-school field for this Thursday has been CHANGED to just your regular DP2 class period. YOU DO NOT NEED TO GET YOUR FORM FILLED OUT!!
Abstract Painting:
Decide on your color scheme. You can use only TERTIARY or INTERMEDIATE colors for this assignment. CHOOSE TWO, and make intensity scales for your colors. Using acrylic paint, create two separate intensity scales for your chosen colors. Paint the intensity scales in your journal.
When you are done with the intensity scales, get a drawing board and tape down a gessoed matboard. Transfer your abstracted drawing to FREEZER PAPER.
HOMEWORK NEXT WEEK, 1 still life drawing in your journal in pen.
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ADVANCED DP:
Classwork: Studio Project #2 (Due Dates must be set with Ms. Munson on Monday - i.e. make sure I write it down). Begin researching for a new project. Fill out a project form and turn it in this week.
Journal: 5 journal pages (double-page spreads) based on any book you are reading for Lit class (Due by Thursday 2/11).
Homework: Watercolor practice in your journal (Due by Monday, February 22). Practice the following techniques:
wet in wet, dry brushing, oil pastel resist, salt in deep color, rubbing alcohol in deep color, sponging wet color, masking with rubber cement
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
February 16 - 19, Quote of the week
___________
Orson Welles was both an award-winning actor and a director. What do you think "it" is? What is "out of step"?
Monday, February 15, 2010
February 16, Tuesday
Review the Field Trip and the "Artist Cafe".
The in-school field for this Thursday has been CHANGED to just your regular DP2 class period. YOU DO NOT NEED TO GET YOUR FORM FILLED OUT!!
Abstract Painting:
After you have abstracted your drawing, you must decide on your color scheme. You can use only TERTIARY or INTERMEDIATE colors for this assignment. CHOOSE TWO, and make intensity scales for your colors. Using acrylic paint, create two separate intensity scales for your chosen colors. Paint the intensity scales in your journal.
HOMEWORK IS DUE, 1 still life drawing in your journal in pen.
IF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED YOUR ABSTRACT DRAWING BY TODAY, IT IS HOMEWORK! You need to be painting by tomorrow.
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ADVANCED DP:
Classwork: Studio Project #2 (Due Dates must be set with Ms. Munson on Monday - i.e. make sure I write it down). Begin researching for a new project. Fill out a project form and turn it in this week.
Journal: 5 journal pages (double-page spreads) based on any book you are reading for Lit class (Due by Thursday 2/11).
Homework: Watercolor practice in your journal (Due by Monday, February 22). Practice the following techniques:
wet in wet, dry brushing, oil pastel resist, salt in deep color, rubbing alcohol in deep color, sponging wet color, masking with rubber cement
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
February 10, Wednesday
Artist Cafe Assignment -- Combine a photo of yourself and a painting, self-portrait, or photo of your artist. You can put yourself into a landscape, or change out the face of the artist in picture. Upload it to your Artist page by next Thursday.
Field Trip tomorrow to the High Museum.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Tuesday, February 9
To begin your first abstract, take one of your homework drawings and redraw it focusing on shape and design rather than recreating an object. Use the 12x14 newsprint in class so it can be transferred to the painting.
If you don't have a strong homework drawing, you will have to make sure you have one by tomorrow.
Monday, February 8, 2010
February 8, Monday
We will complete our color glazing critiques. The paintings are due tomorrow. All field trip forms are due tomorrow. All students need to be registered for our Artist cafe by midnight tonight.
Friday, February 5, 2010
February 5, Friday
We are going to the media center to work on our artist sites.
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Here are the assignments:
You need to register for our site. Go to http://riverwood-artistcafe.ning.com/
Click on Register and sign up for our site.
1. Once you are at the site, your first job is to set up your Artist Page. You need to include your name into the name of the artist. My example is: Pablo Munsoncasso. You can be straight forward with it, or be creative.
2. Answer the following questions about your artist:
Where did you live?
What was your preferred art medium?
What was the date and manner of your death?
3. Leave the question about influences alone for now?
You can add a current picture of yourself for now and we will work on an artist picture next in your journal to replace the temporary photo.
Assignment #2 – Love of my life Forum
Research your artist and find out who (or who all) were the love(s) of your life. If there is any artwork you can of this person(s), then add it to your entry. You need to post to this forum by Friday, February 12.
Research Sites
You do need to keep track of the sites where you find your information. On your artist page, at the bottom is a field for “Where can you find out information about me?” By logging the sites you find your information on, you are also leaving a trail for yourself to go back and find more information later as more forum assignments are added.
If you use Wikipedia, remember it is only a beginning point and you need more credible sites. Scroll to the bottom of the Wiki pages and go to the other sources listed for you artist, time, period, invention, music, literature, etc.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
February 4, Thursday
I will actually grade your journals tomorrow!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
February 3, Wednesday
We will be critiquing our color glazing. Each student will present his or her painting to the class and explain how they created a focal point using color. This is a formal presentation and you will be graded on your presentation.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
February 2, Tuesday
Finish up glazing. Critique tomorrow.
Gesso boards for our next project.
Artist names were chosen today for our NiNG and the first assignment was handed out.
Assignment:
You need to register for our site. Go to http://riverwood-artistcafe.ning.com
Click on Register and sign up for our site.
1. Once you are at the site, your first job is to set up your Artist Page. You need to include your name into the name of the artist. My example is: Pablo Munsoncasso. You can be straight forward with it, or be creative.
2. Answer the following questions about your artist:
Where did you live?
What was your preferred art medium?
What was the date and manner of your death?
3. Leave the question about influences alone for now?
You can add a current picture of yourself for now and we will work on an artist picture next in your journal to replace the temporary photo.
Monday, February 1, 2010
February 1, Monday
Homework is due.
"Audition" statements are due for your Famous Artist Choice.
Color Glazing critique is Wednesday, February 3!
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Quote for the week: An artist cannot speak about his art any more than a plant can discuss horticulture." - Jean Cocteau
- Jean Cocteau was a French poet and playwright who was friends with many artists who worked in Paris, most notable is Pablo Picasso.
- Horticulture is the industry and science of growing plants.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
February 1 - 5
- Thorough knowledge of color theory made through an exploration of color theory in their VVJ
- Correctly create color glazing layers for grisaille
- Create an expressive color layer for the still life
- Present the finished painting to the class and defend their color choice and application.
- Monday: Homework is due and "Audition" statements for our Famous Artist Ning! http://riverwood-artistcafe.ning.com/ Work on the color glazing.
- Tuesday: Work on your color glazing. Cut and prepare matboard with gesso for our next project. Draw names for your famous artist or be assigned by your audition statements.
- Wednesday: Critique your color glazing.
- Thursday: Begin Non-Objective painting.
- Friday: Journal day! It will be interesting! Promise!
Friday, January 29, 2010
January 29, Friday
Supplies: watercolor in tubes, watercolor palette, black oil pastel, copy paper, scissors, glue
With quiet reflective music playing - follow these directions:
- Choose a color from the watercolor palette that matches how you feel about the music and paint the double-page spread
- Use the copy paper and cut some shapes from the paper - geometric or organic
- Using the shapes you have cut out, place them anywhere on the page. Use a dot of glue to hold it in place
- Listen to the rhythm of the music of a few seconds.
- Using the pastel, make lines across the page in a rhythm that reminds you of the music. Make visual music. (Be careful not move the cut paper you have glued down)
- When complete with the lines, remove the paper shapes
- Using a black pen, find some space to write about the experience. How did you feel at first? When did you get into the rhythm of the music?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
January 28, Thursday
Remember: you are looking for a focal point made through color.
Class Critique on color glazing: Wednesday, February 4th.
Journal day tomorrow!!!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
January 27th, Wednesday - January 28th, Thursday
Layer the color - build up a the color you want.
The plan is to have a critique on Monday over paintings. There will be a color test next week.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Quotes for the First Three Weeks
January 19: "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." - Pablo Picasso
January 25: "The essence of drawing is line exploring space." - Andy Goldsworthy
Sunday, January 24, 2010
January 25 - 29

- Thorough knowledge of color theory made through an exploration of color theory in their VVJ
- Correctly create color glazing layers for grisaille
- Create an expressive color layer for the still life
- Present the finished painting to the class and defend their color choice and application.
- Monday: Homework is due! Work on last two visual notes pages and/or making any finishing touches to your still life from last year.
- Tuesday: Riverwood Visual Arts video - so you can decide about next year. Color glazing demo. Complete any finishing touches on your underpainting before color glazing.
- Wednesday: Registration Day! Short class, ouch! Discuss our Social Network, Field Trips, and becoming a famous artist! http://riverwood-artistcafe.ning.com/
- Thursday: Work on color glazing. Last two visual notes pages due!
- Friday: Journal day! It will be interesting! Promise!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
January 11 - 15

- Thorough knowledge of color theory made through an exploration of color theory in their VVJ
- Correctly create color glazing layers for grisaille
- Create an expressive color layer for the still life
- Present the finished painting to the class and defend their color choice and application.
- Monday: Work on Color Wheel and Value Wheel
- Tuesday: Begin color notes on Warm and Cool colors.
- Wednesday: Work on visual notes.
- Thursday: Begin working on Anaglous Colors.
- Friday: Introduce how to make gestural study drawings for the homework assignment.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
January 5 - 8

- Thorough knowledge of color theory made through an exploration of color theory in their VVJ
- Correctly create color glazing layers for grisaille
- Create an expressive color layer for the still life
- Present the finished painting to the class and defend their color choice and application.
- Tuesday: Review course syllabus and begin color theory visual notes assignment.
- Wednesday - Friday: Introduce how to make gestural study drawings for the homework assignment. Work on color theory visual notes.